Indian Railways fare hike: Indian Railways’ (IR) revised fare structure comes into effect from today, marking the second fare hike in less than six months. On Thursday, the Ministry of Railways clarified that passengers who have already booked their train tickets will not have to pay any additional amount on or after December 26.
Speaking to Indianexpress.com, Dilip Kumar, Executive Director (I&P), Railway Board has confirmed the development. “New fare structure will be applicable on ticket issue on or after that date (December 26, 2025),” he said.
Train fare increase: 10 things to know about Indian Railways fare hike
Let’s take a detailed look at the new passenger fare structure of Indian Railways, as train travel remains the most affordable option compared to road and air journeys.
- Indian Railways fare chart 2025
Under the revised train fares, the passengers travelling up to 500 km in non-AC coaches will have to pay an additional Rs 10. The national transporter has increased fares for Mail and Express trains in non-AC coaches by 2 paise per km, while AC class fares have also been raised by 2 paise per km.
Effective from December 26, 2025
Railway Fare Rationalization Details
No Increase in Fare
• Suburban and Monthly Season Ticket
• Ordinary Class up to 215 km
Fare Increase Details
• Ordinary Class (more than 215 km) – 1 paise per km
• Mail/Express Non-AC – 2 paise per km
• AC class – 2 paise per km
Railways will earn about ₹600 crore this year as a result of this rationalisation
Example: 500 km Journey
For a 500 km journey in non-AC coaches, passengers will have to pay only ₹10 extra
Source: Ministry of Railways
Express InfoGenIE
- No fare increase for Suburban services, Season tickets and Second Class Ordinary journeys up to 215 km
Under the revised fare structure, there is no change in fares for suburban services and Season Tickets, including both suburban and non-suburban routes. In Second Class Ordinary, there is no increase in fare for journeys up to 215 km.
Ordinary Non-AC (Non-Suburban)
Second Class Ordinary
₹0.01/km
Distance slabs: No increase (0-215km) • ₹5 (216-750km) • ₹10 (751-1250km) • ₹15 (1251-1750km) • ₹20 (1751-2250km)
Sleeper Class Ordinary
₹0.01/km
Flat rate increase
First Class Ordinary
₹0.01/km
Flat rate increase
Mail/Express (Non-AC)
Second Class
₹0.02/km
Mail/Express trains
Sleeper Class
₹0.02/km
Mail/Express trains
First Class
₹0.02/km
Mail/Express trains
AC Classes
AC Chair Car
₹0.02/km
All AC trains
AC 3-tier/3E
₹0.02/km
All AC trains
AC 2-tier
₹0.02/km
All AC trains
AC First/EC/EA
₹0.02/km
Premium AC classes
Express InfoGenIE
- Existing basic fares of major train services
“The existing basic fares of major train services, including Tejas Rajdhani, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Tejas, Mahamana, Gatimaan, Antyodaya, Garib Rath, Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, and Ordinary non-suburban services (excluding AC MEMU/DEMU, where applicable), have been revised in line with the approved class-wise basic fare increases. The revision has been carried out uniformly and in a calibrated manner across applicable classes,” the railways said in a statement.
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- No change in Reservation fees or Superfast charges
In a statement, the national transporter said there will be no change in charges for reservation fees, superfast surcharges, etc. “Such charges, wherever applicable, shall continue to be levied additionally,” it said.
- Indian Railways GST details
The national transporter further added that GST, as applicable, will continue to be levied in accordance with instructions issued from time to time.
- Indian Railways fare rounding rules
It stated that the rounding off of fares will continue to be carried out as per existing principles.
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In a circular, the Railway Board said that other terms and conditions will remain unchanged, in line with instructions issued from time to time.
- Revised fares not applicable on old tickets
It stated that for tickets already issued at pre-revised rates, the revised fares will not apply. Accordingly, no fare difference for journeys on or after December 26, 2025, will be reflected in the reservation chart for such tickets.
“In case of tickets already issued at pre-revised rates, the revised fare shall not be applicable on such tickets. Accordingly, difference of fare for journey on or after 26.12.2025 on such tickets shall not be shown in the reservation chart,” the railways said.
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- Tickets issued by TTEs to be charged at revised rates
The Railways clarified that any new tickets issued by TTEs or ticket-checking staff on trains or at stations on or after December 26, 2025, will be charged at the revised rates.
- New fare list to be displayed at railway stations
“The fare list displayed to the public at stations shall also be revised showing new fare effective from 26.12.2025. The changes which are required to be carried out in manual ticketing system if and in PRS, UTS, etc, shall be ensured.” the national transporter said.
